How Do Severance Agreement Lawyers Get Paid?
You just lost your paycheck. The last thing you want is another bill. That's understandable, and it's why most employment attorneys in Los Angeles who handle severance agreements keep their fee structures simple and predictable. Here's how it actually works, including what we charge.
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The Four Common Fee Models
1. Flat-Fee Review
This is where most people should start. You pay a fixed amount, the attorney reads your entire severance agreement, and you get on a call to go through it: what you are releasing, what is missing, whether the number is fair, and what to ask for. At Westwood Law that review is $999, paid upfront, and includes a 30-minute call with an attorney. Across Los Angeles, review-only flat fees generally run $500 to $2,500.
If the attorney's conclusion is "the offer is fair, sign it," you walk away with certainty and a clear conscience. That is worth something when you are about to waive every claim you have against your employer.
2. Contingency Fee
This is the model most people are familiar with from personal injury. The attorney only gets paid if they improve your outcome. Their fee is a percentage of the additional money they negotiate for you.
Example: Your employer offers $10,000 in severance. The attorney negotiates it to $30,000. Their contingency fee (typically 25-40% of the increase) comes out of the $20,000 they recovered. You still walk away with significantly more than the original offer.
The key benefit: nothing out of pocket for the negotiation itself. This model only works when you have strong legal claims that give the attorney leverage to negotiate a substantially better outcome, which is why most firms want to review the agreement first before agreeing to it.
3. Flat Fee for Negotiation
Some attorneys also handle the negotiation itself for a fixed amount. Review plus negotiation packages in Los Angeles generally run $1,500 to $5,000. The attorney reviews the agreement, drafts a counter-proposal, and handles one or two rounds of negotiation with your employer's legal team.
The flat fee model gives you cost certainty. You know exactly what you'll pay before you commit.
4. Hourly Rate
Employment attorneys in Los Angeles typically charge $300 to $600 per hour. An agreement review might take two to four hours. Full negotiation might involve 10 to 20 hours total. This model is most common for complex executive packages where the work required is harder to predict upfront.
Good attorneys using hourly billing will give you an estimate upfront and check in before exceeding it.
Which Model Is Right for You?
It depends on your situation:
You have strong legal claims and your employer is offering low. Contingency for the negotiation may make the most sense. The attorney has an incentive to maximize your outcome. You will usually still pay for the initial review, because that review is how the attorney finds out whether your claims are strong enough to take on contingency.
You just want a professional review before signing. A flat fee review is efficient and affordable. You get expert analysis without open-ended costs.
You're an executive with a complex package. Hourly might make more sense because the work is nuanced and the potential recovery justifies the investment.
You're not sure what you need yet. Start with a $999 flat-fee review. The attorney will recommend the right approach based on your specific situation.
Questions to Ask About Fees
Before hiring any attorney, ask these questions:
What does the initial review cost, and what exactly does it include? What's the fee structure if I want you to negotiate? If it's contingency, what percentage? Is there a minimum fee? If it's hourly, what's your estimate for the total time? Are there any costs beyond the attorney fee (filing fees, administrative costs)? What happens if you can't improve my severance?
A good attorney will answer all of these transparently. If they're evasive about fees, that's a red flag.
The Bottom Line on Cost
The fear of legal fees keeps many people from even calling. But a flat-fee review is a known number, and it is small next to what is usually at stake. Paying $999 to find out that your $10,000 offer should be $25,000, or that the release you are about to sign waives a claim worth far more than that, is a very good deal.
Contact our employment team. We work with employees throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Our severance review is a $999 flat fee, paid upfront, and includes a 30-minute call with an attorney. We'll review your agreement, evaluate your claims, and explain exactly what working with us would cost. No surprises.
What Our Clients Say
Real Results for Real People
"I worked with Curt Brown on a separation with my former employer. Curt was able to change the terms and the new outcome greatly benefited my family. Very pleased with the ethics and outcome."
$999 flat fee, paid upfront. Attorney review of your agreement plus a 30-minute call.
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